On the 28th of November 2024, a national meeting under the newly created EU network against corruption took place in Latvia at the premises of the European Commission Representation in Riga.

As part of the EU network against corruption the Commission hosts national meetings to provide an opportunity for EU Member States’ anti-corruption stakeholders to engage in dialogue and raise awareness on anti-corruption issues. The EU network against corruption, set up as part of the EU anti-corruption adopted on 3 May 2023, brings together national authorities, practitioners, civil society, international organisations, EU agencies and relevant services of the European Commission.

This meeting in Latvia focused on hidden political party financing, and challenges relating to investigation and adjudication of corruption offences.

In a first round, key challenges were identified by the participants. These included challenges such as the complexity of hidden financing, ethical complications regarding information, responsibility and trust in preventing corruption, and challenges regarding investigations and the legal process. In a second round, potential solutions to the identified challenges were discussed. Regarding, challenges in the investigation of corruption and the legal process, solutions presented by the participants were to prepare joint cases against persons, prioritise cases, and explore how to optimise the procedures.

Towards the end of the workshop, attention was also given to recent developments with regard to corruption in Latvia, both positive and negative.